Michael van Gerwen Withdraws from Second Darts Event Due to Medical Issue
A statement from the Professional Darts Corporation has confirmed that Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the upcoming Poland Darts Open in Krakow due to medical reasons. This marks the second consecutive event the Dutch darts star has missed, following his absence from the Premier League in Glasgow earlier this week.
Double Withdrawal Impacts European Tour Opener
Van Gerwen is not the only top player sidelined for the weekend's competition. Gerwyn Price has also pulled out of the Poland Darts Open for medical reasons, as announced by the PDC. Both withdrawals occurred after the initial draw was made, leading to direct replacements in the tournament lineup.
Former World Champion Michael Smith steps in to replace Price, while Callan Rydz, a two-time World Championship quarter-finalist, takes Van Gerwen's place. Smith and Rydz will join 46 other players in the 48-player field, with the champion set to receive a substantial prize of £35,000.
Van Gerwen's Strong Start Cut Short by Illness
Michael van Gerwen had been in impressive form at the start of the 2026 Premier League season, winning Night One in Newcastle and finishing as runner-up to Gerwyn Price on Night Two in Antwerp. However, he withdrew late from Night Three in Glasgow due to a medical issue, with a statement citing illness as the cause.
Under tournament rules, his scheduled opponent, Luke Littler, received a bye to the semi-finals, earning two league points and a +1 leg difference. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, received no points and a -6 leg difference for his absence.
Event Details and Star Attractions
The Poland Darts Open is the inaugural event of the 2026 European Tour, taking place in Krakow from February 20 to 22. Despite the withdrawals, the tournament still features notable players, including world number one Luke Littler and 2023/24 World Champion Luke Humphries, among other star attractions.
The PDC statement elaborated that Price withdrew following Night Three of the BetMGM Premier League on Thursday, while Van Gerwen was unable to recover from the medical issue that ruled him out of the Glasgow event, pulling out on Friday morning.
This series of withdrawals highlights the physical demands of the professional darts circuit and the impact of health issues on player participation in key competitions.
